Basically, the premise is that while the Twins have made their share of mistakes, they've been crippled by an endless string of really unfortunate injuries and developments, especially when it comes to their top prospects in the minors. Has any other club dealt with such a daunting series of setbacks? How much can TR, Gardy and company really be blamed when Joe Mauer suddenly transforms from elite catcher to lousy first baseman, big-$ signing Ricky Nolasco gets hit with an inexplicable elbow injury and almost EVERY top prospect has his timeline pushed back by some weird health issue (or, in Rosario's case, boneheaded mistake)?

I don't think so. They might be slowed, but they were not competing this year. I don't consider them unlucky. This is what happens when you have no depth, or refuse to promote guys (May, Meyer) that are good when injuries happen. I don't think this is even close to the unluckiest team around. They are just bad, without much depth.

I don't know, it is a site to discuss sports, not airline safety.....maybe we should take it less seriously?

I think your points about ambivalence are the strongest part of that blog. I'd argue the Rangers have been the unluckiest team for the last couple years and it's come to a crescendo this year.

The Sano/Buxton injuries were enormously unlucky and the most difficult thing about this season to swallow. The rest? I'm not so sure I'd pin it on luck, there is a mix of bad luck, bad decisions, and too much hope wrapped in too many question marks.

I think your points about ambivalence are the strongest part of that blog. I'd argue the Rangers have been the unluckiest team for the last couple years and it's come to a crescendo this year.

The Sano/Buxton injuries were enormously unlucky and the most difficult thing about this season to swallow. The rest? I'm not so sure I'd pin it on luck, there is a mix of bad luck, bad decisions, and too much hope wrapped in too many question marks.

I'll agree with this. Texas is much more unlucky.

The only thing I'll say about Twins and luck is that after three terrible years they were in a position to break out two top ten elite prospects this year and those plans were derailed. Not sure it would have had much impact on the record this year, but it sure would have been a more enjoyable product and there would have been a much more positive vibe around the team, with something to look forward to going into the offseason. All that is pushed back another year.

Agree with Mike in the sense that they're their own problem right now.What is the point in sending out veteran minor leaguers night after night when you're already bad?Put the guys who you view as part of the future into the fire and start moving forward.As far as I'm concerned, they're already two years behind on what should have been a full rebuilding of their roster.

They likely would still be bad, but they would also be far more interesting.

Scouting Report: Power: 30, Hitting: 50, Arm: 60, Defense: 45, Speed: 45. "Line drive swing and shows good contact and on-base abilities. Double's power at his peak. Strong arm from 2B or the OF, stiff hands. Not a fast runner, but above average instincts on the bases. Skinny body doesn't look the part, but will sneak up on you. ACL surgery sapped much of his athleticism." (Probably)

Kubel and Colabello filled in fine for Hammer and Arcia, and that was the extent of the bad injuries for most of the year.

Ha, well I guess Kubel and Colabello offset the loss of Willingham and Arcia, but that's only because Willingham and Arcia are huge disappointments this year.I wouldn't exactly say Kubel and Colabello were "fine" so much as I'd say the shoes they had to fill were a child's size 5.

How much can TR, Gardy and company really be blamed when Joe Mauer suddenly transforms from elite catcher to lousy first baseman, big-$ signing Ricky Nolasco gets hit with an inexplicable elbow injury and almost EVERY top prospect has his timeline pushed back by some weird health issue (or, in Rosario's case, boneheaded mistake)?

There is certainly some bad luck, but I don't know if it's more or less than other clubs.

Pitching-wise, I don't see much of any bad luck, outside of some weirdness around our big innings eater investment right now (Nolasco). Pretty much everyone else has stayed healthy and met or exceeded expectations. It's not really bad luck that most of the interesting ones are still in the lower minors (or inexplicably stuck in AAA).

The hitting side is worse, as Buxton and Sano are tough cases, to a lesser extent Rosario, but I don't know that any of them were expected to play a lot in MLB this year. So then you're basically down to 1 out of 9 hitters (Mauer) who isn't living up to expectations and recent past season performances. It just wasn't a very good lineup to begin with.

I think Nolasco was overhyped - he was a tremendously important signing that I applauded - but he was never an ace. Definitely not in reasonable expectations for coming to the AL. I'm not sure what's going on with his arm, but people always hoped for a bit too much from him.

The bullpen has somehow managed to match last year's success. That could be counted as luck quite frankly.

And the offense? Well some of us were shouting from the rooftops how bad this group was and how thin. Not much about luck there. Hell, they're in the bottom third of the league in OPS and in the top half in runs scored. I'd call their offense considerably lucky not to have been worse this year.

Pelfrey was completely predictable. A mind boggling move. There was no bad luck there. None.

Really? You should point me to wherever you predicted he'd miss the season with an elbow injury. I'd like to see it.

I think the Twins were actually pretty healthy most of the season. Kubel and Colabello filled in fine for Hammer and Arcia, and that was the extent of the bad injuries for most of the year.

We should also start describing injuries to Mauer as "mysteries" and not as unlucky.

They've been fairly healthy on the big-league roster, but that's not really what matters at this point, nor is it what I'm talking about. The key pieces in the rebuild have been repeatedly afflicted by major setbacks -- almost every last one.

I keep seeing references to Texas being more unlucky. Texas. The same team that has finished first or second for six straight seasons, with three playoff appearances and two World Series appearances during that time.

I thought it went without saying but the article in question is about much more than just this season.

I thought it went without saying but the article in question is about much more than just this season.

But Nick, that's where I have the problem.

We've gone 3 1/2 really bad seasons. Where do you see the significant changes being made in the organization that might change their "luck"?

Yes, the farm system has improved but do you really see that the organization has embraced rebuilding?

They've begun to implement more sabrmetrics ... but do you feel they've really embraced an analytical approach?

I know that we don't see everything as outsiders. But I just honestly don't see how the Twins have done anything to try and change their "luck". It seems to me like they've pretty much just been rolling along in the same old rut.

You've Gotta Have Heart. All You Really Need Is Heart.

When the Odds Are Saying "You'll Never Win", That's When The Grin Should Start!

I keep seeing references to Texas being more unlucky. Texas. The same team that has finished first or second for six straight seasons, with three playoff appearances and two World Series appearances during that time.

I thought it went without saying but the article in question is about much more than just this season.

Your premise seems to be that only losers can be unlucky. They lost their uber-stud Profar right after trading the veteran in front of him. Elvis Andrus has apparently turned pumpkin on them. Promising guys like Neftali Feliz and Martin Perez have gone down as well to major injuries. Heartbreaking 2011 WS. Two play-in losses. Cruz suspension. It goes on.

Sorry, but I'll take our crappy luck for a crappy team any day over crappy luck for a contending team. At least then you don't have high hopes.

We've gone 3 1/2 really bad seasons. Where do you see the significant changes being made in the organization that might change their "luck"?

Yes, the farm system has improved but do you really see that the organization has embraced rebuilding?

They've begun to implement more sabrmetrics ... but do you feel they've really embraced an analytical approach?

I know that we don't see everything as outsiders. But I just honestly don't see how the Twins have done anything to try and change their "luck". It seems to me like they've pretty much just been rolling along in the same old rut.

What evidence is there that they have not embraced rebuilding? Hicks and Arcia were both up at a very young age; just hasn't worked out. Pinto was on the roster out of ST this year; just didn't have the catching skills to stick. You can't convince me that Buxton, Sano, May and Meyer would not all be up by now if not for their various injury setbacks. Top young prospects like Polanco and Berrios have been promoted quite aggressively.

As far as analytics, there's plenty of reason to believe they're moving more in that direction, even if it's slower than some would like.

I just think that some fans have gotten so frustrated that they're overly eager to affix blame, whether it's to the front office or the coaching staff or the medical team or what have you. I'm frustrated too, but I'm just trying to lend some perspective here. The folks running the team have had their tasks made a great deal more difficult by developments that are really out of their control. That should be recognized before you crucify these guys, IMO.

I'd argue the Rangers have been the unluckiest team for the last couple years and it's come to a crescendo this year.

The Rangers also have had their mix of bad luck and bad decisions.The Fielder trade has been a disaster, and I have to admit I thought it would be at least 2016 before that contract became an albatross.Steven Wright had a line "I broke a mirror which means I have seven years of bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five."I think Jon Daniels' lawyer told him the same thing on the Fielder trade, but he was wrong.

The Rangers also have had their mix of bad luck and bad decisions.The Fielder trade has been a disaster, and I have to admit I thought it would be at least 2016 before that contract became an albatross.Steven Wright had a line "I broke a mirror which means I have seven years of bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five."I think Jon Daniels' lawyer told him the same thing on the Fielder trade, but he was wrong.

It might have been less of a disaster if their Byron Buxton hadn't gotten hurt. Part of the thinking with that deal was making room for him.

People seem to forget that they lhad their Alex Meyer and Byron Buxton on their major league roster and hoping for big things and both have had serious injuries.